While there is still 15 more days till 2012 is over (if the world doesn’t end on the 21st of course), I decided to write what my top 10 moments of 2012 were, listed below in no particular order. If I blogged about the experience, I’ve included the link to the blog post in the header. Hopefully 2013 will be just as eventful as this year was!
#1) Visiting Hogwarts. This was probably the best way I could have started off the year. With my family, I was able to go to Disney World and Universal for about a week. When I was younger, I got every single Harry Potter book the day it came out. Seeing Hogwarts and drinking butterbeer was probably the most magical experience I’ve ever had. While at Disney World, I actually went to Hollywood Studies by myself and I got to see this incredible Christmas light show. They even had fake snow. Let me tell you, Christmas at Disney World is definitely an experience.
#2) Conference at the U.S. Air Force Academy. I spent half of my spring break at the U.S. Air Force Academy for a leadership conference. I learned so much about the military in the few days I was there. I can honestly say this is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. I got to see a metal of honor recipient, Aron Ralston who the movie 127 Hours is based on, and a lot of other incredible people.
#3) Vacation to D.C. & Pennsylvania. To start off my summer, I went to D.C. and Pennsylvania with three friends I made last summer when I interned in Washington, D.C. I got to see the new $100 bill be printed, Gettysburg, and I finally saw Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell! I’m so glad I was able to go on this trip. I missed these three so much and seeing D.C. again made me want to live there so much more. And I finally got to eat a Philly cheesesteak in Philly, which was on my life goal list. Check!
#4) Participated in the Color Run. This was the first 5K I’ve ever run and I can tell you that I actually enjoyed every minute of it! The Color Run is essentially a fun run where you wear all white and color gets thrown at you. I’ve never actually run a race before, so I think this was the perfect way to start out.
#5) Internship at WGN Radio. Over the summer I completed my MJMC major Senior Inquiry with an internship at WGN Radio. I learned so much there about radio and news! I also got to help shape what became news. I had thought nothing could match last summer interning in D.C., but I was wrong.
#6) Went to Warped Tour. After years of wanting to go to Warped Tour, I finally got to this year. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I got to see Mayday Parade (my favorite band!), All Time Low, We the Kings, Breathe Carolina, Yellowcard, and a few other bands. Best music fest ever!
#7) Sigma Alpha Iota Alumnae Tea. Since I am the corresponding secretary of Sigma Alpha Iota, it is part of my job to plan the Alumnae Tea. I was so proud that I was able to pull it off with the help of my fellow sisters. I love this organization and it was great seeing so many of the alumnae.
#8) Elected SGA parliamentarian. Had you told me three years ago that I was going to be on the exec board of Student Government Assocation (SGA), I would have laughed. However, being elected SGA parliamentarian has definitely impacted the person I am today. I now know parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules. I can plan meetings and events. Sure, I still can’t remember every senator’s name, but I’m getting there!
#9) Seeing Obama. Twice. In regards to politics, this year has ruled. I was elected president of College Democrats and have met a lot of major political players in the QCA. Best of all, I saw the President of the United States and the First Lady, shook both of their hands, and got to be on TV! Unless I become President of the United States or like get to have a discussion with the President, I don’t think anything in my life will top these two moments.
#11) Saw an engagement. My family and I went to a Five for Fighting concert near our house and unexpectedly saw an engagement! It was super cute that I was able to share this special moment with this couple. I may not be able to remember their names but I can tell you this was adorable and totally movie worthy. It felt kind of awesome being “involved” with their engagement.#12) Won a major award. Major props if you can name the movie this title is from! (Hint: You’ll shoot your eye out). Anyways, for the Observer banquet awards, I won the Overall Excellence in Journalism Award. It was quite an honor to be awarded this since I was afraid I was going to receive nothing. It’s nice to have all your hard work recognized.
2013 is going to be a big year – I have no idea where I will be at directly a year from now. This year I potentially have grad school, a real job, Rome, awesome internships, and who knows what else could happening. And of course 2013 is the year of graduation (given I survive my two senior inquiry papers). Although I have absolutely no idea what my future will entail, I can tell you that I plan on making 2013 the best year I can!
Posted on December 16th, 2012 by aliciaoken09
Filed under: Alicia Oken
Wow, you did have a great year. If you’ve done it once, you can do it again! Maybe not the same events (saw Obama twice?), but with the same sense of excitement and accomplishment. I want to know what butterbeer tastes like. I always thought of it as a combination of cream soda and spiked egg nog.
Happy New Year!
Butterbeer tastes like cream soda and butterscotch. It’s super yummy. Happy New Year to you as well!